Kim Jong Un Calls for Enhanced Military Readiness Amid Rising Tensions
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has called on the nation’s armed forces to concentrate their efforts on preparing for war. This statement was made public by the North Korean state news agency, KCNA. The Korean peninsula was referred to as “the world’s biggest hotbed” by Kim during a speech to military commanders in the capital, Pyongyang.
Blaming the US and South Korea
Kim Jong Un pointed fingers at the US and South Korea, accusing them of escalating tensions on the peninsula to an unprecedented level, as per KCNA’s report. This comes as North Korea appears to be supporting Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
North Korea’s Support to Russia
Reports indicate that North Korea is providing Russia with more than just soldiers and munitions. The Financial Times recently reported that North Korea has supplied Russia with heavy artillery, including 50 M1989 Koksan self-propelled howitzers and nearly 20 North Korean-made multiple rocket launchers.
North Korean Soldiers in Russia
According to the US State Department, thousands of North Korean soldiers are currently fighting alongside Russian forces near the border region of Kursk, opposing Ukrainian forces. South Korean intelligence suggests that North Korea has deployed over 10,000 troops to Russia, in addition to providing artillery ammunition.
Rising Military Cooperation
The increased military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has been facilitated by a recently signed agreement, which includes a mutual defense pact. This signals a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape and continues to add to the complexities in the region.
